Cameron Smith
Sandro Tonali, Arsenal, 2025/26
© IMAGO
Newcastle United legend Chris Waddle has warned Arsenal that key transfer target Sandro Tonali is a similar player to Declan Rice.
Tonali, 25, has enjoyed an eye-catching campaign at St James’ Park and his form over the past few months has led to increased transfer speculation amid interest from several top clubs across Europe, including Arsenal, Manchester United and Juventus.
FootballTransfers understands that Arsenal want to sign Tonali this summer, as they look to bolster their options in midfield" href="https://www.footballtransfers.com/en/transfer-news/uk-premier-league/2026/02/exclusive-arsenal-transfer-news-sandro-tonali-newcastle-united-summer-2026-steve-kay" target="_blank">FootballTransfers understands that Arsenal want to sign Tonali this summer, as they look to bolster their options in midfield, although Waddle believes the Italy international is unlikely to add something the aforementioned Rice doesn’t already provide.
Rice has emerged as a contender for the 2026 Ballon d’Or following a sensational season for Mikel Arteta’s side, in which he has scored five goals and provided 11 assists in all competitions, and he is widely regarded as one of the best midfielders in world football.
Despite this, Arsenal are still eager to sign a new central midfielder this summer and Tonali is one of their top targets, alongside Lille wonderkid Ayyoub Bouaddi.
The 25-year-old currently has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €58.9 million (£51m), but Waddle believes Arsenal will be required to pay a far higher fee if they are to secure his signature ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.
Sandro Tonali to Arsenal transfer verdict
When asked about Arsenal’s interest in the Italy international, Waddle told FootballTransfers on behalf of 10bet" href="https://www.10bet.co.uk/sports" target="_blank">10bet: “They’ve got Declan Rice and they’ve got Martin Zubimendi, who’s a very good player. But Arsenal seem to collect players.
“He's [Tonali] had a couple of great seasons, he's got better this season. He's a good age and I'm not surprised there's a lot of clubs interested in him. He's a very economical player, he's a little bit like Declan Rice, let's be honest, he’s very consistent with his pass ratio, he's got a good shot and he's got a good engine.
Sandro Tonali, Newcastle
© IMAGO - Sandro Tonali, Newcastle
“In my mind, he's a very similar player to Declan Rice though. Do Arsenal really need another player like that? I know squads strengthen every year and that's how football moves on,” Waddle continued.
“I can see why Arsenal are interested in him and I can see why he's been mentioned and linked with dozens of clubs in the UK and clubs abroad as well.
“I know he's still got a couple of years on his contract at Newcastle, so if Alexander Isak went for £120 million, they've got to be looking at his age, the quality and the consistency he's shown, and you've got to be looking around £80-100 million, haven't you?”
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